Kogan said that verbal agreements are in place and contracts for the contest are expected to be finalized shortly.

DREAM.17 takes place May 29 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, and serves as a fundraiser following earthquakes and a tsunami that recently ravaged the country. HDNet is expected to air the show in North America.

Kogan could not immediately explain why Clementi was chosen for the matchup over Nelson, though a source close to the event indicated Aoki may have vetoed the opponent.

Clementi is the fifth opponent chosen to face Aoki at the event. Willamy Freire, Jamie Varner and Antonio McKee have also been involved in various stages of negotiations for the bout.

Clementi fights in Japan for the first time since 2004, when he went 3-1-1 during a five-fight stint for ZST. “No Love” has garnered mixed results as of late, alternating wins and losses during a 7-5 run since his 2009 release from the UFC.

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